The expression "Coronavirus" has taken on a broad generic profile, and talking about COVID-19 is a direct reference to the disease and its consequences, but we shouldn't forget the little monster behind it all: the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The scientific world is exploring multiple angles to defeat it as soon as possible, but one of them is very unusual: turning it into music. MIT professor Markus Buehler recently used artificial intelligence to create a melodic representation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and learn about their vibrational properties.
One of the most striking details about the SARS-CoV-2 virus is its overall shape. The surface of the virion is covered with a series of spikes (technically peplomers) that give the impression of a crown... hence the name "coronavirus". These spikes are a fundamental piece of the puzzle that allows the virus to "hijack" the machinery of its host and produce new copies. And the more we know about them (without forgetting the rest of the virus, of course), the faster we'll find mechanisms to limit or interrupt its infectious capacity.
A viral melody
Now, few could imagine the possibility of obtaining information by turning the virus into music, but that's exactly what MIT professor Markus Buehler did. According to the professor, the reproduction you just listened to is an algorithmic multi-layered composition based on the vibrational spectrum of the complete protein (expressed in sound and rhythmic elements), the sequence and folding of amino acids that form the structure of the spike. Different sounds were used for the SARS-CoV-2 proteins during the process, including bells, flutes, and other string instruments.
https://old.neoteo.com/foldinghome-ayuda-a-derrotar-al-coronavirus-con-tu-pc/Why it matters
However, the work is much more than simple musical curiosity. Buehler explains that "vibrations can change as temperatures become warmer, and they could also reveal why the SARS-CoV-2 spikes gravitate more toward human cells than other viruses", therefore "understanding these vibrational patterns is critical for drug design, and much more". In other words, Buehler and his team could identify a new protein that matches the rhythm and melody of an antibody capable of binding to the spike, and interfere with its normal function.
Source: The Next Web
